Training is a Critical Component for Success In the Security Industry

Cash-in-Transit carriers like many businesses look for ways to improve profits. However, smart carriers don’t shortcut training to increase profit knowing that short-term profit gains mean little if there is a fatal truck crash due to a decision to reduce training for drivers.

Since carrier drivers and guards are largely unsupervised, training is crucial to ensure that front line team members are well versed in policies and procedures and organizational objectives prior to being assigned a route.

Training is an area that is sometimes viewed as expendable when increased profits are demanded or when staffing issues arise due to large pieces of new business starting or when the economy is good and hiring becomes difficult. The downturn of the economy in 2008 had a positive impact on employee retention which normally results in improved training and subsequent benefits of improved safety, security and customer service.

When staffing issues arise, front-line employees are sometimes placed on trucks and given a firearm without training resulting in substantial risks for carriers, customers and employees. Prior to driving an armored truck many newly hired drivers have never driven a truck or fired a firearm.

Suggestions for sound training program:

1) Training must occur immediately after the employee is hired if the employee is being placed on board a truck. There can be no exceptions to this rule. Even when employees are working inside jobs such as currency processing or administrative there should be some sort of immediate indoctrination regarding security and safety procedures. 2) Instructors must be qualified on the topics taught and represent the organization in a positive manner. Selecting the right trainer is crucial to the success of a training program. 3) Training must be documented and signed off by both the employee and the instructor and reviewed and audited by management. 4) A training record should be maintained separately from other documentation placed inside the employee’s personnel jacket. 4) Testing must occur to ensure that the employee has grasped the material covered. 5) Instructors should be rated by the employees being trained and these ratings reviewed by management and the instructor. 6) For certain functions such as driving or firearms training, the instructors must have certification such as Smith System or NRA certification which must be monitored to ensure renewal upon expiration of certification. 7) Documentation is crucial in training. When OSHA conducts a site inspection the inspector will ask to see training documentation. Documented training also helps management when reviewing employee performance to ensure that the employee has received adequate training. 8) Training must be on-going and tracked to make sure that it occurs in a timely fashion. 9) Organizational incidents both positive and negative should be studied and incorporated into future training programs to prevent reoccurrences and improve results.

The author suggests that customers review training programs that carriers often share during the sales process and ensure that these programs are an integral part of their business. One method to determine if training occurs is to ask an employee questions about their training program.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jim McGuffey, M.A., CPP, PSP, PCI has 35 years of security management experience. Prior to becoming a security consultant Jim served 3 years in the military, 8 years in law enforcement and 26 years in the armored car industry where he held senior positions of Area General Manager, District Manager and Regional Vice President. During his career Jim had responsibility for 70 high risk facilities, a large fleet of trucks and several thousand employees. Jim was awarded numerous national awards for producing leading results in safety, security, customer service, increasing sales and profit which are attested to by references from peers, supervisors and his management team on his Linkedin Profile.

Please contact Jim at jimmcguffey37@gmail.com or 215-460-7370 to learn how you can improve safety and security at your business with a security risk analysis.

A.C.E. Security Consultants resides in South Carolina and services Beaufort, Jaspar Counties in the Hilton Head area of South Carolina. They also provide security services nationally and internationally.

The articles contained on this website are written for general information purposes only and are not intended to be, and should not be used as, a primary source for making security decisions. The owner of this website may not agree with all of the content contained within the enclosed articles and it is the responsibility of the end users and viewers to evaluate and seek out additional guidance as deemed appropriate for application by local leadership.